New “EMU Today” television program to air on Xfinity On Demand, YouTube beginning in November

Produced by EMU’s School of Communication, Media & Theatre Arts in the College of Arts and Sciences, in conjunction with the College of Business and the Division of Communications, the program will feature positive programs and initiatives across the Univ

YPSILANTI -- Eastern Michigan University will produce a new “EMU Today” television program that will appear on Xfinity On Demand, and on the University’s YouTube channel beginning Wednesday, November 1, 2017. The half-hour program will feature positive programs, events and initiatives at Eastern, and provide opportunities for viewers to learn more from EMU deans, faculty, students and administrators about activities at the University.

The new program will be an interview-style production, featuring two co-hosts and two 12-minute segments per episode, with each segment focusing on a particular topic and guest. The premier episode will feature Eastern Michigan University President James Smith and Bud Gibson, director of the EMU Center for Digital Engagement.

EMU President James Smith responds to question from student co-host Sarah Poteracki

Co-hosts for the program are Sarah Poteracki, a junior double majoring in Electronic Media and Film Studies, and Entertainment Design and Technology; and, Mark S. Lee, host of CBS Radio’s Small Talk with Mark S. Lee. Lee is an Eastern Michigan University alumnus, and part time lecturer of Marketing at Eastern. He is an entrepreneur, Crain's Detroit blogger and frequent contributor to various Detroit-area media outlets on business topics.

Dereka Bennett, a senior majoring in Media Studies and Journalism, will be a field reporter to provide coverage of events occurring on campus.

The program is directed by Keith Damron, associate professor of Electronic Media and Film Studies. During his career, Damon has worked as a production engineer and writer for E Entertainment Television, Universal Studios and Warner Brothers Animation. He has worked at Eastern since 2002.

Other students involved in the production include: Ashley Gallaway, Justin Stovall, Nicole Bleifield, Samantha Henning, Matt McCracken, and Bethany Jezierski.

Steve Martin, radio and TV engineer in the School of Communications, Media & Theatre Arts is chief engineer and responsible for set design.

Lewis Hershey, head of the department of marketing and professor of marketing in the University’s College of Business, and Walter Kraft, vice president for communications, are co-producers along with Lee, who originated the program concept.

New episodes of EMU Today will be produced monthly through March 2018 and available on Xfinity On Demand. Xfinity customers can access the program by the following: Using their remote press Xfinity>On Demand>XFINITY Services>Get Local. For non-Xfinity customers, all episodes also will be available on the Eastern Michigan University YouTube channel.

“EMU Today TV is a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on the many academic accomplishments and positive institutional initiatives underway at Eastern” said Walter Kraft, vice president for communications. “There are many people to thank and acknowledge for the planning of the new program, including Mark S. Lee, Professor Lewis Hershey, College of Arts and Sciences Interim Dean Kathy Stacey, Associate Professor Keith Damron, Steve Martin, and of course the many students involved in all aspects of the production. The opportunity for Eastern’s students to be involved in a first-class television production, which will be a great enhancement to their experience and their resumes, is the most rewarding element of the production for everyone involved.”

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 22,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.